I have the utmost respect for veterans. They are outstanding citizens and deserve a better shake then the government gives them today. They sacrifice a lot to serve and protect America, and when they come home they are often left to fend for themselves. That's a sad reflection on the direction of American society. For a country that at one time offered it's returning veterans opportunity with the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, a.k.a. The G.I. Bill, the treatment of veterans today is a travesty.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition is an organization that seeks to address a couple problems that face returning vets to rural America. From their website;
The catalyst behind the formation of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition has been the observation of two merging powerful forces over recent years: first, an aging farming community in critical need of young farmers; and second, the high unemployment rates and lack of viable career opportunities among American veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly those returning home in greatly disproportionate numbers to our small towns and rural communities. It is at this intersection of socioeconomic needs that FVC is uniquely qualified to help. America’s agricultural community needs our veterans as much as they need us.
With the current localvore trend, and the rise of local farm markets, the Farmer Veteran Coalition is positioned to push that forward. People who are aware of the local impact of supporting local agriculture demonstrate an awareness of the value of community. It would be reasonable to say that these same people would welcome the opportunity to support returning veterans as farmers to built a strong sense of community.
Take a look at their photo stream, spend some time at their website. It offers up solid information and research that supports their mission. You can donate to support their effort and if you know of veterans who could benefit from the mission of FVC, please share their website with them.
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